Table 1 Characteristics of the included patients
|  | All patients (n = 110) |
|---|---|
Demographic and disease variables | |
 Male (%) | 60.3 |
 Diagnosis ALS/PMA (% ALS) | 84.0 |
 Onset spinal/bulbar/both (%) | 60.3 / 23.7 / 16.0 |
 Age at referral (years) | 61.5 ± 12.0 |
 Disease duration (years)° | 2.0 ± 1.7 |
 Mortality (n)° | 67 |
Variables at first evaluation at the HVS | |
 Interval referral and first HVS assessment (weeks) | 5.6 ± 5.1 |
 PCO2 (mmHg) | 39.4 ± 5.6 |
 Bicarbonate (mmol/L) | 26.40 ± 3.69 |
 Follow up until NIV (months)* | 9 ± 8 |